The President’s Standard and Colours will be presented to four top IAF units, including two fighter squadrons, a signals unit and a base repair depot, all of which have been crucial in the country’s war-fighting efforts over the years.
President Droupadi Murmu, who is the supreme commander of the Indian armed forces, will award the honours at the Hindon airbase on the outskirts of Delhi on March 8.
“This will be the first time in the history of IAF that four units will be awarded President’s Standard and Colours together. It’s the highest military honour for any unit of the Indian armed forces,” Western Air Command chief Air Marshal P M Sinha said.
The units to be awarded are 45 ‘Flying Daggers’ Squadron, which currently flies the Tejas fighters, and the 221 ‘The Valiants’ Squadron, which has the Sukhoi-30 MKI jets.
The other two are the 11 Base Repair Depot, the only fighter overhaul depot of the IAF, and the 509 Signals Unit, which functions as an air defence direction centre in Meghalaya. “The selected units are recognised for the meritorious services rendered by them during the past 25 years. The award is an acknowledgment of the operational excellence, dedication and proven contribution of these units both during peace and war,” Air Marshal Sinha said.